Grave marker



June 15 1926.

J. M. M NEILL GRAVE MARKER Filed Jun e 1, 1925 INVENTOR J. M. M N El LLATTORNEYS Patented June 15, 1926.

2 I seem irALooLiyrrreiInrtL, JdSltiEHJMiSjSOiIitIQ invention relates toimprovements in grave markers, and itconsi'sts in the combinations;constructions, and 1 I arrangements herein described "and claimedfi 1 I-*An object of my invention is: to providea grave marker' ofthecharacterde' scribed in which particularly-novel means is employed forcomposing and; displaying inscriptions" pertaining to the deceased.

1,: A. further object of-the inventionis to provide a grave marker ofthe character described in which novel means is employed forsu'pporti-ngthe inscriptionbearing tablet of the marker upon a standard, whichstandaid is driven into the ground at the head'of the rave- I WA furtherobject of 'my' invention is to provide agrave marker 'of the typedescribed that is simple in constructiomneat in "appearance," and whichis' thoroughly practical for the purpose intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification,and the novel features of the invention will be particular 1y pointedout in the appended claim.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a partof this application, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of anembodiment of my invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a partial rear elevation of the device illustrated in Figure1, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view partially in section of theinscription plate.

In carrying out my invention I make use of a vertical standard 1. Thestandard 1 is substantially T-shaped in cross section, and has a sharpincision point 2 at the lowermost end thereof, by means of which thestandard may be projected into the earth adjacent to the head of thegrave.

A bolt 3 for the purpose of anchoring the standard is projectedtransversely through the standard at a point intended to lie beneath thesurface of the ground, and a nut 4 serves to maintain the bolt 3 fromdislodgement from the standard, and is preferably placed at themid-point of the bolt, thus holding the bolt in a position with portionsextending on either side of the standard.

A part of the standard is cut away at the gagement' of the p0rtioir8-witli the por- AVE etop, as shown" at 5, leaving the fiat or crosssectional portion= unobstructed as shown; at 6 The tablet portions ofthe grave' inai-ker consists in an ornamental frame :7, substantiallyr'ectangulan'in shape, having a hookis engagedw The frame 11 is disposedwithin the frame by the projection thereof through the back ofthe'frame'l' prior to-eirtioir "6 of thestandardz' "The frame 11 hasside walls 12 having rabbeted "portions .1 13 at the upper andlowenwalls thereof for receiving' a glass plate14. f'Tlll-t outersurfaceof the-plate1'4 is contiguous with the outermost edges of the wall 12,and therefore bears against the flange 9 when the frame 11 is projectedwithin the frame 7.

A legend bearing plate 15 of particularly novel construction (seeFigures 1 and 4) is disposed between the glass plate 14 and the adjacentwall of the frame 11. This legend bearing plate 15 has a plurality ofparallel slots 16 extending substantially horizontally thereacross, bymeans of which small metal plates 17 bearing letters of the alphabet,numerals, and other legends 18, are secured to the plate. The plates 17are secured to the plate by projecting the end portions 19 of the platesthrough the slots and bending these portions back into engagement withthe back of the plate 15, as shown in Figure 4.

Means for securing the fra1ne7, with its inner frame 11, in place,together with a glass plate 14 and the plate 15, is provided in screws20 and 21 projected through the standard 1 and engaged with threadedbores provided in the frame 7 at the top and bottom of the frame,substantially as shown in Figure 3. I

Rearwardly extending bosses 22 are provided on the rear wall of theframe 7 adjacent to each side of the standard 1 so as to precludelateral movement of the frame and to insure the disposition of the frameat right angles to the standard 1. To further assure positioning of theframe with respect to the standard, an opening 23 is rovided through thestandard, adjacent to t e screw 21, and a boss 2 is provided on theframe 7 that is adapted for projection through the bore 23.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, theoperation thereof may be readily understood. My improved grave markersare delivered to the dealer, cemetery keeper, or person having suchmarkers in custody for use or sale, with the plate free of the smallerplate 17. A'large assortn'ient of plates having both capital and smallletters and numerals are provided, and when a grave marker is to beused, the plates 1'? bearing letters and numerals pertinent to the graveover which the marker is to be placed are disposed upon the plate 15 inthe manner described which consists in projecting the portions 19 of theplates through the slots 16 and in bending the portions 19 back againstthe adjacent face of the plate.

The entire plate is then disposed in the ecessed portion of the frame11, and the glass plate 14 is disposed in the rabbeted portion 13 of theframe. The entire frame is then projected within the wall 7 and the hookmember 8 of the frame 7 is engaged with the portion 6 of the standard.

The bosses 22 and 24 will serve to position thestandard relative to theframe, and the screws and 21 are disposed in their proper places, asshown in Figure 3, and will effectively lock the frame against movementfrom the standard, and frame 11 against dislodgement from the frame 7.

I claim:

A grave marker of the character described comprising an upright standardarranged to be driven into the ground, an outer frame, an inner framehaving a marginal wall on all sides and having a solid rear wallarranged for disposition within said outer frame, a legend bearing platehaving a plurality of slots thereacross disposed within said innerframe, a plurality of smaller plates having legends thereon and havingportions thereof projected through said slots and secured to the plateby turning the projected portions downwardly against the back of thelegendbearing plate, a glass plate forming a cover for the inner frameand resting upon rabheted portions provided in the marginal walls ofsaid inner frame, a hook-shaped portion integral with the upper edge ofsaid outer frame, said upright standard adapted to be received in saidhook-shaped portion, and means for rigid ly securing said outer frame tosaid standard.

JOHN MALCOLM MoNEILL.

